Page 28 of The Teddy Bear's Prize

I’m waiting for him to crawl out of bed and leave me behind, but he settles next to me and tucks me close to his chest, fingers tangling in my hair.

He holds me like I’m something precious, not something to be used and discarded.

I burrow closer to him, listening to his steady heartbeat, waiting for his next breath.

FIFTEEN

Tobias

“Ready?”Mia asks, letting go of my fingers.

There is no easy answer to that question. I’ve spent most of my life climbing the ranks to arch demon, collecting souls and punishing those who threaten to stand against me. It isn’t in my nature to be afraid, so why am I? It might be that fact that these are some of the most important people in Mia’s life, aside from her family, and I am still trying to justify that there is a place for me in the mortal realm and by her side.

“I think so,” I flex my hand and let it fall at my side.

It doesn’t feel like I’m crossing enemy lines.

Erika’s light blue house stands out from the rest of the street. There’s a string of tiny lights shaped like stars twinkling along the roof’s white trim, and a few paper bats taped to the window left over from Halloween. It wouldn’t be a proper witch’s house without the tiny crescent moons dangling from the door frame or a bundle of dried sage hanging from the eaves to protect against evil spirits.

I eye the herbs and place my hand on Mia’s shoulder, dragging my fingertips down her arm. She exhales, her breath visible in the cold, then knocks and takes a step closer to me.

The door swings open, the scent of cinnamon and roasted meats spilling out into the front yard. Erika stands there wearing a deep emerald button top tucked into black trousers, her light blonde hair piled on top of her head in a bun. She looks between us, smiling.

“Look at you! You look amazing,” She pulls Mia into a hug. “I’m suddenly very glad Paolo didn’t invite his friend,” she whispers, glancing over at me.

“And you look beautiful,” Mia says as she pulls away.

“Come in, come in. ” She steps aside, “It is nice to see you, Tobias.”

“And you,” I nod, offering the Tupperware container filled with the marshmallow dessert that we spent the afternoon making, “Where can I put this?”

Erika closes the door behind us, “That is perfect. I can put it away for you. Food is going to be ready in thirty and I just opened a couple of bottles of wine.”

Mia shrugs off her dark gray wool jacket, revealing the black dress underneath with her thick black tights, placing it in a room with a pile of other coats. I feel a little underdressed with my long-sleeved shirt. The cold isn’t a concern since my shadows keep me warm and I still haven’t been able to tap into the rest of my powers.

She reaches out, grabbing hold of my bicep to guide me further into the house. The party itself presses in one like a dream, there’s so much conversation happening at once that I can only catch bits and pieces.

Most of my apprehensions begin to fade as Mia makes introductions. I'm surrounded by her friends from highschool and college, along with Erika’s partner’s close friends. There are at least a dozen people spread across the living and dining room.

Everyone is so glad to see her, she commands their attention effortlessly while I am struggling to keep my thoughts my own.

It’s simple enough to keep my focus on Mia, but with every new voice I catch a glimmer of their emotions or a memory strong enough to break through their subconscious until it feels like I am drowning in it.

The edges bleed together until I cannot pick one feeling from the rest. It wasn’t this bad when we were out in public, but I could keep myself at a comfortable distance from most of the crowds.

Anger, frustration, happiness, lust, and love. I latch on to the latter, hoping to pull its tether and find Mia on the other end, but as soon as I get close, it slips away.

This is all too much, and I cannot breathe.

“Are you okay?” Mia presses close to my side, running her hand up my arm, “We can go get some air.”

I look to see her brows knitted in concern. The expression spreads across the strangers like wildfire, their emotions reacting to my quiet agony, “No, I’m fine I?—”

Erika slips between the half-formed crowd, “Tobias, can I borrow you for a moment?” She looks over at Mia, “Paolo went to pick up more ice and I need someone strong enough to lift a twenty-pound turkey.”

Mia nods, “Go ahead.”

“Of course,” I mutter, allowing Erika to lead me through the crowd and into the kitchen.

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